Before your bathtub gets out of hand, you should call a service professional to repair and refinish your bathtub. Whenever possible you should look into having your bathtub repaired. No matter how bad your bathtub looks, it may be easier to repair than you think. An average bathtub repair shouldn't cost more than a couple hundred dollars, while replacing your bathtub will likely set you back a couple thousand dollars when you consider the demolition of the old tub and installation of the new tub. However, if you are redoing the entire bathroom, you may find that replacing the tub is actually cheaper than refinishing the tub.

You will want to take a look at the products that the professional uses to do his repairs. Not all products are created equal. Ask to see samples of his work. If the work is not done correctly, it will start pealing in a couple of months. Also, it can chip and this can look worse than some of the reasons why you want to get the tub refinished. However, there are good products out there and good repairmen.

Most tub repairs start with a fiberglass inlay. This is the preferred repair technique. The fiberglass inlay, in principle, is nothing more than a patch for your bathtub. A chemical fusion will create a permanent bond that essentially makes the patch and your bathtub one solid surface. Glues and adhesives can be used to bond the fiberglass, but the chemical fusion is the key. A professional can make this repair appear seamless. Your professional will then be able to refinish the entire tub and it will be as good as new and in some cases better than new.

After your bathtub has been structurally repaired, it will need to be resurfaced and refinished. A quality refinishing product is probably at least as important as the fiberglass inlay itself. Not only will it ensure many years of reliability for the repaired area, it will create a stain and acid resistance that, in many cases, exceeds the original finish of the tub. The refinishing process is what truly makes your bathtub new again.

The resurfacing and refinishing process is also where your bathtub's color can be restored or changed to better match your bathroom's décor. Just make sure your refinishing agent maintains a stand-sure quality, the industry's term for a bathtub that allows safe footing despite the shampoos and lotions that run onto the floor.

In summary, you can have your tub repaired or just refinished when you feel that the tub is starting to look in need of replacing. You will want to research the products and professionals you use before you decide which contractor to use. However, with the right products and professional you tub can be looking new for a few hundred dollars instead of the thousands it could cost to replace.